Google does not render resistance futile — From the ashes of Kiko, Paul Graham reads that Google is unstoppable. That all hope is lost when fighting big G on its home turf. That resistance is futile: … What a depressing conclusion from a man who has inspired so many and gives hope to those who dare challenge the incumbents.

Looking through the wrong end of the wire — There's a fascinating — and entertainingly pissy, if sometimes obtuse — argument going on over Metcalfe's Law (which states that the value of a communications network grows exponentially as its number of users grows).

Apple admits excessive iPod hours — Apple Computer has said a report of labour conditions at its iPod plant in China found workers did more than 60 hours a week a third of the time. — Staff making the world's most popular MP3 player also worked more than six consecutive days 25% of the time.

Apple Finds No Forced Labor at iPod Factory in South China — Apple Computer said Thursday that it had found no evidence of forced-labor conditions at a Chinese factory that makes iPod digital music players. — But it said that a company investigation found several violations of Apple's code …

Putting Google-Fi to the Test — MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Google launched its citywide Wi-Fi service here this week, and Wired News decided to put it to the test. — Our first stop: Off the freeway at the southwest end of town, and the coverage was not bad.

Profit Falls by Half at Dell — Three days after its announcement of a vast safety recall, Dell reported little but bad news yesterday: profits down by half, and an informal Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into its accounting. — Speaking from China to Wall Street analysts …

Is this the new Amazon video store? — People were snatching early glimpses of what may be Amazon.com's new video store on Friday, after a former employee posted screenshots of the store on his blog. — Web pages that first surfaced at Kokogiak.com, titled "Amazon Digital Video" …

Second Life & The Metaverse Business Expo — Whatever happens at the second Second Life Community Convention this weekend, I'm fairly sure the highlight won't be Linden Lab CEO Philip Rosedale appearing onstage in a sequined codpiece. — That was last year, when the inaugural convention …

Wal-mart stops Bully pre-sales under pressure [Update 1] — [Update: John Simley from Walmart media relations contacted Joystiq to clear up the ciircumstances behind the Bully pre-order situation. Simley said that Wal-mart policy is to not carry any unrated or Rating Pending games for pre-order or sale, in-store or online.

Japan planning intelligent road systems — Finding real-time traffic data is becoming less unusual thanks to nav units popping up more frequently in vehicles nowadays, but real-time data about about potential road hazards, pedestrians in the way, and other random tidbits that could prevent a serious headache …

Dublin man plans Apple "walk of shame" — Following a week of waiting for Apple to arrange for the pickup of a malfunctioning iMac G5, a Dublin says he has decided to prove that he can walk to Cork — the location of the nearest Apple repair center — faster than Apple can arrange for the pickup of his broken Mac.

DNS could slow broadband service — A broadband provider's claim of superfast speeds may only be as good as its weakest link, which could be its domain name server software. — A report issued Thursday by Nominum, a company that sells domain name system (DNS) server software …

SecureWorks admits to falsifying MacBook wireless hack — Remember those hackers in the Washington Post story who claimed to have hacked a MacBook's wireless drivers to gain control of it? Then remember the follow-up story where the author, Brian Krebs basically, um, how shall I say …

Track popular videos with the Internet TV Charts — You can keep track of the Internet's most viral videos with the Internet TV Charts. — Right now, the service is following Google Video, YouTube, Digg, and VideoSift, and I'm hoping that the creator plans to add in some more (Yahoo Video, SingingFish, maybe even some news sites?).

Ready To Party? — The TechCrunch August Capital party is tonight, Friday, at August Capital in Menlo Park (map). The fun starts at 6 pm. Additional details are on the wiki. — There will be plenty to eat and drink, lots of companies will be demo'ing, and as always Pandora is piping in the music.